I am sure you'd agree that a real depression would be much better for us. As a bonus, think about what we could be nostalgic for later !

Rock. ON! Mr. Bali Hai. Excellent citation of the true genius that is Iowahawk.

Robert, despite the way the President has sold this bill to the public, as the only antidote to an irreversible recession, I think it could actually have the opposite effect, and force us into a real depression, or at the very least, a return to the stagflation of the 1970s, as it paves the way for a massive currency devaluation and double-digit inflation.

Contrary to the historical myth, FDRs fiscal policies did not save us from the Great Depression, they pushed us deeper into it and prolonged it.

Festus, I don't always agree with Iowahawk, but his dark sense of humor appeals to my contrarian nature.

considering that this is valentine's day, i hope you all get a stimulus package tonite!

Thanks, but I think I already got screwed.

"Contrary to the historical myth, FDRs fiscal policies did not save us from the Great Depression, they pushed us deeper into it and prolonged it."

And the thread is over.

"And the thread is over."

The thread's not over until someone mentions Hitler.

Why couldn't have Dubyah used the money he wasted in Iraq on fixing the "decrepit infrastructure"? Oh thats right then the Military Industrial Complex wouldn't get rich...

Fritz, I agree. The money we spent on infrastructure in Iraq was largely wasted. However, you may recall that Bush and Congress allocated almost $290 billion back in 2005 for highway projects. Remember the "Bridge to Nowhere" (that Obama and Biden both voted for twice)? It was part of that bill.

Also, if you read the article I linked, only 17% of this bill is actually going to be spent on infrastructure. That's only $151 billion out of $790 billion.

This bill is the Democratic Party's version of the Patriot Act: written behind closed doors, then rammed through Congress under the threat of dire consequences if it wasn't passed, and unread by almost every Congressman and Senator who voted for it. Is that the kind of "transparent" government you want?

I agree its a waste and they are quite insane both parties. Dubyah spent like a drunken sailor and Obomanomics think they can save the day by "Extreme Keynes"
when the only tool you have is a hammer the world looks like a nail. The only tool they have is a checkbook....but the concept of spending oneself out of debt does not sound crazy to them.
I just wonder what wheel is going to fall off the economic machine next? As Murphy said the other day...
Will stoic selflessness or gleefull anarchy be the order of the day when and if it really impodes?

Let's hope we don't have to find out.